- Volume 59, Issue 10, 2009

Nocardia strain NRRL 5646, isolated from a garden soil sample in Osceola, Iowa, USA, was initially of interest as an antibiotic producer. It contained biocatalytically important enzymes and represented the first described nitric oxide synthase enzyme system in bacteria. The present polyphasic taxonomic study was undertaken to differentiate strain NRRL 5646T from related species of the genus Nocardia. Chemotaxonomic analyses included determinations of the fatty acid methyl ester profile (C16 : 1 ω6c/C16 : 1 ω7c, C16 : 0, C18 : 1 ω9c and C18 : 0 10-methyl as major components), quinone [cyclo MK-8(H4) as the major component], polar lipid (diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside as major components) and mycolic acid. These results supported its placement within the genus Nocardia. Biochemical testing and 16S rRNA, 65-kDa heat-shock protein (hsp65) and preprotein translocase (secA1) gene sequence analyses differentiated strain NRRL 5646T from recognized Nocardia species. Previous studies have demonstrated that other genetic sequences (carboxylic acid reductase, Nocardia phosphopantetheinyl transferase and GTP cyclohydrolase I) from strain NRRL 5646T can also be used to substantiate its uniqueness. The level of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain NRRL 5646T and the type strains of Nocardia tenerifensis and Nocardia brasiliensis was 98.8 %. However, strain NRRL 5646T could be clearly distinguished from these Nocardia species based on DNA–DNA hybridization data. Consequently, strain NRRL 5646T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Nocardia, for which the name Nocardia iowensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NRRL 5646T (=UI 122540T=NRRL B-24671T=DSM 45197T).

Bacterial strain VA15T was isolated from forest soil of the Changbai Mountains, Heilongjiang Province, China. Cells of strain VA15T were Gram-positive-staining, 0.2–0.3 μm in diameter and 0.3–1.0 μm long, strictly aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped or coccoid. Growth occurred at 16–34 °C (optimum, 29 °C), at pH 5.5–8.5 (optimum, pH 6.2–6.5) and in the presence of 0–1 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0–0.25 %). Strain VA15T contained MK-8(H4) as the major respiratory quinone and ll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid as the cell-wall diamino acid. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 (18.1 % of the total), 10-methyl C18 : 0 (11.8 %) and 10-methyl C17 : 0 (10.7 %). The DNA G+C content of strain VA15T was 71.6 mol% (T m). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain VA15T was phylogenetically related to members of the genus Nocardioides; levels of similarity to the type strains of recognized Nocardioides species ranged from 92.9 to 97.7 %. Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain VA15T and its closest phylogenetic relatives, Nocardioides panacihumi DSM 18660T and Nocardioides marinus DSM 18248T, were 21 and 16 %, respectively. Based on these results, it is concluded that strain VA15T represents a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides terrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is VA15T (=CGMCC 1.7056T =NBRC 104259T).

A Gram-positive, rod-shaped, non-endospore-forming, mycelium-forming actinobacterium (04-St-002T) was isolated from the wall of an indoor environment colonized with moulds. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, strain 04-St-002T was shown to belong to the family Pseudonocardiaceae, and to be most closely related to Pseudonocardia antarctica (99.2 %) and Pseudonocardia alni (99.1 %). The major menaquinones were MK-8(H4) and MK-8(H2), the phospholipid type was PIII, and the polar lipid profile consisted of the major lipids diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine. Moderate amounts of phosphatidylglycerol and an unknown polar lipid, L1, small or trace amounts of phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol-mannoside, three unknown lipids, two unknown phospholipids and four unknown glycolipids were also detected. The major fatty acids iso-C16 : 0, iso-C16 : 1, C16 : 0 and C16 : 1 ω7c supported the affiliation of strain 04-St-002T to the genus Pseudonocardia. The results of DNA–DNA hybridization, and physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain 04-St-002T from the two most closely related species, P. alni and P. antarctica. Strain 04-St-002T represents a novel species, for which the name Pseudonocardia parietis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 04-St-002T (=DSM 45256T=CCM 7582T).

An actinomycete strain, designated YIM 61435T, was isolated from leaves of Maytenus austroyunnanensis collected from a tropical rainforest in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, south-west China. The isolate produced aerial mycelium with long, curved to hooked spore chains. The chemotaxonomic characteristics of the isolate were consistent with its assignment to the genus Actinomadura. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences also indicated that this strain should be classified in the genus Actinomadura; however, it could be separated clearly from its closest neighbour, Actinomadura atramentaria DSM 43919T. Furthermore, a combination of DNA–DNA hybridization results and significant differences in morphological and physiological characteristics indicate that strain YIM 61435T represents a novel species of the genus Actinomadura, for which the name Actinomadura flavalba sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 61435T (=DSM 45200T =CCTCC AA 208017T).

A bacterial strain, designated Coryn-1T, was isolated from mucus of the coral Fungia granulosa (northern Red Sea, Gulf of Eilat, Israel) by growth and enrichment of micro-organisms in agar spheres and subsequent plating. The bacterium was found to be a Gram-positive, non-motile, halotolerant, heterotrophic coccobacillus. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that strain Coryn-1T belonged to the genus Corynebacterium, exhibiting the highest levels of similarity (94 %) with the 16S rRNA gene sequence of Corynebacterium halotolerans YIM 70093T. The novel strain grew well at 0.5–4.0 % salinity, at pH 7.2–9.0 and at 30–37 °C. The major cellular fatty acids were oleic acid (C18 : 1 ω9c; 58 %), palmitic acid (C16 : 0; 30 %) and tuberculostearic acid (10-methyl-C18 : 0; 12 %). The DNA G+C content was 66.6 mol%. On the basis of its phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain Coryn-1T represents a novel species, for which the name Corynebacterium maris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Coryn-1T (=DSM 45190T=LMG 24561T).

Two novel halophilic, aerobic, catalase-positive but oxidase-negative, Gram-positive actinomycetes, designated YIM 91353T and YIM 91394T, were isolated from a salt lake in the north-west of China. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the novel isolates should be assigned to the genus Streptomonospora. The phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics of the isolates also matched those described for members of the genus Streptomonospora. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10(H8), MK-10(H6) and MK-9(H8), and meso-diaminopimelic acid was the diagnostic amino acid in the cell walls. The phospholipids of the isolates consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides. The major fatty acids of strain YIM 91353T were anteiso-C17 : 0 and C18 : 0, and of strain YIM 91394T were anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The DNA G+C contents were 71.2 and 72.5 mol%, respectively. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA hybridization data, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic differences supported the view that strains YIM 91353T and YIM 91394T each represent a novel species of the genus Streptomonospora, for which the names Streptomonospora amylolytica sp. nov. and Streptomonospora flavalba sp. nov. are proposed, with type strains YIM 91353T (=DSM 45171T=CCTCC AA 208048T) and YIM 91394T (=DSM 45155T=CCTCC AA 208047T), respectively.

A novel Gram-positive, aerobic, spore-forming, endophytic actinomycete, designated strain YIM 61359T, was isolated from the roots of Maytenus austroyunnanensis plants collected from tropical rainforest in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, south-west China. The strain formed single or cluster spores with smooth surfaces from substrate mycelia. The strain contained meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall and arabinose, xylose, galactose and glucose in whole-cell hydrolysates. The acyl type of the cell-wall polysaccharides was glycolyl. MK-10(H6), MK-10(H8) and MK-10(H4) were the predominant menaquinones. The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and several unknown phospholipids. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, C17 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The DNA G+C content of strain YIM 61359T was 69.7 mol%. These chemotaxonomic data indicated that the strain belongs to the family Micromonosporaceae. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences also suggested that strain YIM 61359T fell within the family Micromonosporaceae. On the basis of morphological and chemotaxonomic data, phylogenetic analysis and characteristic patterns of 16S rRNA gene signature nucleotides, strain YIM 61359T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus within the family Micromonosporaceae, for which the name Plantactinospora mayteni gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Plantactinospora mayteni is YIM 61359T (=CCTCC AA 208022T=DSM 45238T).

A novel isolate, designated strain MCCC 1A01535T, belonging to the genus Streptomyces was isolated from the rhizosphere of the mangrove plant Avicennia mariana from Fujian Province, south China. Characterization of the isolate was based on a polyphasic approach. Pairwise comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain MCCC 1A01535T shared 97.7 and 97.5 % sequence similarities to Streptomyces specialis GW41-1564T and Streptomyces hainanensis YIM47672T, respectively, its most closely related neighbours, whereas the DNA–DNA relatedness value between strains MCCC 1A01535T and GW41-1564T was 50.2 %. The major fatty acids of strain MCCC 1A01535T were iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. These differed from the fatty acid compositions of related strains. Strain MCCC 1A01535T exhibited an unusual menaquinone system that comprised MK-10(H6) as the predominant component and moderate amounts of MK-9(H6), MK-9(H8) and MK-10(H8); minor amounts of MK-9(H4), MK-10(H4), MK-9(H10) and MK-10(H10) were also present. Based on its chemotaxonomic, phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain MCCC 1A01535T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces avicenniae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MCCC 1A01535T (=DSM 41943T=CGMCC 4.5510T).

Six Gram-negative, non-gliding, rod-shaped bacterial strains isolated from freshwater sediment were subjected to polyphasic analyses to determine their taxonomic positions. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences of the six strains revealed that they represent two separate genomic species in a new lineage within the phylum Bacteroidetes, related to members of the family ‘Chitinophagaceae’, in which they were most closely related to members of the genus Terrimonas (93.4−90.5 %). Two of the isolates, HU1-GD23T and HU1-HG42T, had a sequence similarity of 96.2 %, with DNA G+C contents of 39.4 and 38.5 mol%, respectively. They possessed MK-7 as the predominant respiratory quinone and contained high amounts of iso-pentadecanoic acid and 3-hydroxy-iso-heptadecanoic acid in their cell envelopes, properties shared by members of the family ‘Chitinophagaceae’. They were well differentiated from other members of the family ‘Chitinophagaceae’ by additional physiological and biochemical characteristics. In conclusion, strains HU1-GD23T (=KCTC 22306T=LMG 24312T) and HU1-HG42T (=KCTC 22305T=LMG 24324T) are considered to represent two novel species of a novel genus, Ferruginibacter gen. nov., for which the names Ferruginibacter alkalilentus sp. nov. and Ferruginibacter lapsinanis sp. nov., are proposed, respectively.

A Gram-negative, non-carbohydrate-utilizing, non-flagellated, motile, flexible, long rod-shaped, orange-pigmented bacterium, strain H6T, was isolated from coastal seawater of Tianjin City, China, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Strain H6T grew optimally at 30 °C, in the presence of 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 7.6. Menaquinone-6 (MK-6) was the sole respiratory quinone and the major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (36.5 % of the total), iso-C15 : 1 (27.3 %) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (10.8 %). The DNA G+C content of strain H6T was 34.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that strain H6T was related most closely to Lishizhenia caseinilytica JCM 13821T (97.8 % similarity). DNA–DNA relatedness between the two strains was 47.4 %. Strain H6T could be further differentiated from L. caseinilytica JCM 13821T based on activity of several enzymes, hydrolysis of casein and Tweens 40, 60 and 80 and production of H2S. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genomic and phylogenetic data, strain H6T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Lishizhenia, for which the name Lishizhenia tianjinensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H6T (=CGMCC 1.7005T =JCM 15141T).

A Gram-negative, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, ISL-14T, was isolated from a marine solar saltern of the Yellow Sea, Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated by a polyphasic study. Strain ISL-14T grew optimally at pH 7.0–8.0, 30 °C and in the presence of approximately 2 % (w/v) NaCl. It contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 38.5 mol%. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain ISL-14T belonged to the genus Psychroflexus. The levels of similarity between the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain ISL-14T and those of the type strains of recognized Psychroflexus species were 95.8–96.8 %. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain ISL-14T represents a novel species within the genus Psychroflexus, for which the name Psychroflexus salinarum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ISL-14T (=KCTC 22483T=CCUG 56752T).

A collection of eight strains, NF 1366T, NF 450, NF 1101, NF 1107, NF 1123, NF 1413, CCUG 15260 and CCUG 15624, from various clinical origins, were characterized biochemically as similar to Kaistella koreensis and Chryseobacterium haifense. They differed from K. koreensis, which is unable to alkalinize acetate, and from C. haifense, which is ONPG-positive (β-galactosidase) and acidifies sucrose, fructose and lactose. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, this collection of strains was most closely related to the type strains of K. koreensis (97.3–97.5 %) and C. haifense (99.1 %). Representative strain NF 1366T showed only 41.8 % DNA–DNA relatedness with K. koreensis DSM 12107T and only 51.9 % with C. haifense DSM 19056T. DNA–DNA hybridization of strains NF 450 and CCUG 15624 to strain NF 1366T was 41.7 and 74.6 %, respectively, and relatedness of these strains with C. haifense DSM 19056T was 72.6 and 70.2 %. With the present information, these two strains must be classified as intermediate between C. haifense and strain NF 1366T. The fatty acid composition and polar lipid profile of strain NF 1366T were similar to those reported for other Chryseobacterium species. Like other chryseobacteria, strain NF 1366T exhibited a polyamine pattern with the predominant compound sym-homospermidine and a quinone system consisting of menaquinone MK-6 only. For this collection of clinical strains, the name Chryseobacterium anthropi sp. nov. is proposed, with NF 1366T (=CCUG 52764T =CIP 109762T) as the type strain. K. koreensis was shown to be very similar genotypically and phenotypically to Chryseobacterium. Its polar lipid profile exhibited the major characteristics shown for recently described Chryseobacterium species and the fatty acid profile of K. koreensis was also very similar to those of the Chryseobacterium species. Hence, no striking genotypic or phenotypic differences could be found that could justify the classification of this species into a separate genus, and we therefore propose to reclassify Kaistella koreensis in the genus Chryseobacterium as Chryseobacterium koreense comb. nov. (type strain Chj707T =IAM 15050T =JCM 21512T =KCTC 12107T =NBRC 103027T). An emended description of the genus Chryseobacterium is also proposed.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated strain N7T, was isolated from a rice paddy in South Korea. Cells of strain N7T were non-motile, non-spore-forming rods. Growth was observed at 15–35 °C (optimum of 25–30 °C) and between pH 6.0 and 8.0 (optimum of pH 6.5–7.5). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone-7. The major cellular fatty acids of strain N7T were summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1 ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH), iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 37.7 mol%. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that strain N7T formed a distinct phyletic line within the genus Pedobacter. Phylogenetic distances from strains of other Pedobacter species with validly published names were greater than 5.0 % (i.e. <95.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities). On the basis of phenotypic and molecular data, it is clear that strain N7T represents a novel species within the genus Pedobacter, for which the name Pedobacter oryzae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is N7T (=KACC 12821T =DSM 19973T).

Strain CC-SAL-25T, a non-motile, Gram-negative, red-pigmented bacterium, was isolated from a rare mud-volcano, located in Wandan, Pingtung County, Taiwan. Studies based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain clustered closely with Belliella baltica BA143T (95.4 % sequence similarity). A menaquinone with seven isoprene units (MK-7) was the major respiratory quinone. The fatty acid profile was slightly different from that of B. baltica BA143T. The results of the physiological and biochemical tests showed that strain CC-SAL-25T could be clearly differentiated from recognized Belliella species based on phenotypic properties. It was evident from the genotypic and phenotypic data that strain CC-SAL-25T should be classified as representing a second novel species in the genus Belliella. The name proposed for this taxon is Belliella pelovolcani sp. nov., and the type strain is CC-SAL-25T (=BCRC 17883T=KCTC 13248T).

Two Gram-negative, aerobic, pale pink/rose-coloured, rod-shaped, non-motile bacterial strains, designated GFA-11T and RG-4, were isolated from a freshwater fish culture pond and a freshwater spring sample, respectively. Based on characterization by using a polyphasic approach, the two strains showed highly similar phenotypic, physiological and genetic characteristics. They shared 99.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and 89–94 % DNA–DNA relatedness, suggesting that they represent a single genomic species. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains GFA-11T and RG-4 formed a monophyletic branch at the periphery of the evolutionary radiation occupied by the genus Flectobacillus within the family Flexibacteraceae. Their closest neighbours were Flectobacillus major DSM 103T (97.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Flectobacillus lacus CL-GP79T (95.9 %). Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between the two novel strains and the type strains of F. major and F. lacus were less than 70 %. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed clear phenotypic differentiation of strains GFA-11T and RG-4 from recognized members of the genus Flectobacillus. The predominant fatty acid constituents of strain GFA-11T were C16 : 1 ω5c (40.2 % of the total) and iso-C15 : 0 (15.0 %). The DNA G+C content of strain GFA-11T was 39.7 mol%. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and chemotaxonomic and physiological data, strains GFA-11T and RG-4 are considered to represent a novel species of the genus Flectobacillus, for which the name Flectobacillus roseus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GFA-11T (=BCRC 17834T=LMG 24501T).

A rod-shaped, 15–30 μm long, red bacterium, affiliated phylogenetically with the phylum Bacteroidetes, was isolated from an experimental mesocosm at Sedom, Israel, filled with a mixture of water from the Dead Sea and the Red Sea. The organism stains Gram-negative and is obligately aerobic, heterotrophic and oxidase- and catalase-positive. Growth is obtained in the presence of 5–20 % NaCl, with an optimum at 10 % NaCl plus 5 % MgCl2 . 6H2O. Temperature and pH optima are 37–46 °C and pH 6.5–8.5. Nitrate is not reduced. Glucose, sucrose, maltose and glycerol stimulate growth with acid formation; no growth stimulation is obtained in the presence of fructose, ribose, xylose, mannitol or sorbitol. The G+C content of the DNA is 62.9 mol% (HPLC). Main fatty acids are 16 : 0 iso and 16 : 1 cis9, followed by 15 : 0 iso and 15 : 0 anteiso. The isolate is sufficiently different from its closest relatives to be classified within a novel species belonging to a new genus, for which we propose the name Salisaeta longa gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of Salisaeta longa is strain S4-4T (=DSM 21114T =CECT 7354T).

Strains WB 3.3-2T, WB 3.2-61T, WB 4.1-42T and WB 2.3-68T were isolated from the Westerhöfer Bach hard water rivulet, North Germany. The strains were Gram-staining-negative and catalase-, aminopeptidase- and oxidase-positive. The novel strains lacked flagella and only strain WB3.2-61T showed gliding motility. Isolates WB 3.2-61T, WB 4.1-42T and WB 2.3-68T produced flexirubin pigments. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the novel strains showed <98.2 % similarity to the type strains of all recognized species of the genus Flavobacterium. Strains WB 3.3-2T and WB 4.1-42T shared 96.3 % sequence similarity and were only distantly related to the type strains of all of the members of the genus Flavobacterium. Strain WB 3.2-61T branched adjacent to Flavobacterium limicola DSM 15094T (98.0 %), while strain WB 2.3-68T was a neighbour of Flavobacterium psychrophilum DSM 3660T (97.1 %). On R2A medium, iso-C15 : 0 was the common major fatty acid; fatty acids C15 : 0, C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, iso-C17 : 1 ω9c, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1 ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH) occurred in all strains though sometimes in low amounts. Metabolic properties revealed clear differences between the four isolates as well as between the isolates and their nearest phylogenetic neighbours. The lack of close relatedness was confirmed by Riboprinter and MALDI-TOF analyses of cell extracts. On the basis of a high number of phenotypic differentiating properties and phylogenetic uniqueness, four novel Flavobacterium species are proposed with the following names: Flavobacterium rivuli (type strain WB 3.3-2T=DSM 21788T=CIP 109865T), Flavobacterium subsaxonicum (type strain WB 4.1-42T=DSM 21790T=CIP 109867T), Flavobacterium swingsii (type strain WB 2.3-68T=DSM 21789T=CIP 109868T) and Flavobacterium reichenbachii (type strain WB 3.2-61T=DSM 21791T=CIP 109866T).

A novel mesophilic, acidophilic, endospore-forming bacterium, designated strain ZJ-6T, was isolated from Zi-Jin copper mine in Inner Mongolia, China. Cells of strain ZJ-6T were rod-shaped, stained Gram-positive or were Gram-variable, and grew aerobically at 25–35 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and pH 2.0–6.0 (optimum, pH 3.5). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain ZJ-6T was related phylogenetically to members of the genus Alicyclobacillus, with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 89.5–94.2 %. Cells contained MK-7 as the major quinone and the DNA G+C content was 51.2 mol%. Strain ZJ-6T possessed a number of phenotypic characteristics that differentiated it from recognized Alicyclobacillus species, including its growth temperature, assimilation of various carbon sources, production of acids from a range of compounds, and the ability to grow chemoautotrophically using ferrous iron, elemental sulfur and tetrathionate as electron donors. The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain ZJ-6T were anteiso-C15 : 0 (67.1 %), iso-C16 : 0 (7.7 %) and anteiso-C17 : 0 (7.4 %); ω-alicyclic fatty acids were not found. On the basis of these results, it is concluded that strain ZJ-6T represents a novel species within the genus Alicyclobacillus, for which the name Alicyclobacillus aeris sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is ZJ-6T (=CGMCC 1.7072T=NBRC 104953T).